Champix (varenicline) is a prescription-only medicine, which can significantly increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking. It mimics the effect of nicotine on the body, and therefore relieves the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting, particularly the urge to smoke.

Champix cannot be prescribed to pregnant women or people with certain pre-existing health conditions. If you would like to use champix, before we prescribe to you, our clinic doctor will screen your medical history to approve it is safe for you to use.

How to take Champix

The treatment period is up to eight weeks. You need to start taking Champix one week before your quit date, and you should continue to smoke during this week. The aim is to build up the dose so that your body gets used to the medication prior to quitting. You will be expected to stop smoking on the quit date.

Effectiveness

Evidence suggests that if you use Champix to quit smoking you are three times more likely to succeed than if you quit using willpower alone. However, Champix does not ‘make’ you stop smoking. You will still need determination to succeed, and to break the smoking habit. Your chances of successfully quitting will be greatly increased if you are motivated to stop, and if you use medication in conjunction with support from a smoking cessation specialist.

Side Effects

The most common side effect of taking Champix is mild to moderate nausea (feeling sick) shortly after taking a tablet. This may be alleviated by taking the medication just after a meal, with a glass of water.

Please read the information that comes with the medicine to find out about other possible side effects.